The Girls of Nowolipki (Dziewczeta z Nowolipek)

THE GIRLS OF NOWOLIPKI

Scenario: Barbara Sass based on a story by Pola Gojawiczyńska

Look. They've opened it.

But we shouldn't cross the street. They're, you know...

Yeah, you might have to go to confession.

I'm going home, or else there will be trouble.

I'm going, too. I've made plans.

Wait up, Amelka.

I don't want to go back to the shelter, I'll go see mom.

See you tomorrow.

Good morning, Mr. Majewski.

Good morning.

Will you ever learn to close the door? You're letting the cold in.

Mom, it's all over.

Look at my diploma.

You were rummaging through the apple basket again.

What were you looking for?

What do you think?

If I catch you taking their apples again...

Fine! Don't get mad! I'll do everything in a second.

Fry the herring, peel potatoes... I know.

Don't turn on the light!

I don't have money to waste.

This is serious! That mandolin is important to me.

For everything. The unfinished school. Everything.

Is it my fault you got sucked into those strikes

and didn't finish school?

How can you say that? You know exactly how it was.

Ignacy managed somehow.

Stop it, you two.

Ignacy? You arranged for Ignacy to go abroad.

That's true. I am going abroad to study.

Here, have some money.

Now leave me alone. Always problems in this house!

He's been mad as a dog recently.

Men should be like mad dogs from time to time.

You know, I like coming here.

Coming from my hotel room, it's nice here, like a real house.

Bronka, go to Marszalkowska street and see Mr. Ruzycki.

He owes me money.

Well, I'm going to go now.

I'll stop by tomorrow, Auntie, as usual. Bye, Janeczka.

Bye!

How long will you be gone, Ignacy?

I'm not sure how long.

ICE CREAM

So this boy goes to see the pharmacist and asks if he's got any cough syrup.

The pharmacist says "no", so the boy replies, "you pig!"

Amelka!

Good morning.

Good morning. Invite the young man in, and you can talk over tea.

Oh, actually, I have nothing to go with the tea.

Maybe I'll go get some cookies.

It will be really nice to meet you.

Be right back.

I sowed on some flounce and shortened it a bit.

Here.

Isn't it great that I didn't sell the house after Father's death?

We still don't have any money, but at least people can't tell.

No one knows we're poor.

Well? Fabulous.

Walk around a bit.

Beautiful.

You know, I got you a job under Seweryn.

You're going to be embroidering rich people's bed sheets.

Maybe you'll meet someone. You never know.

For instance, today.

The prince's maid came, in person,

and asked to have his old bed sheets patched up.

Come here, honey. Come. Who is this boy?

The one who's coming.

Roman is a merchant's assistant. And I won't go to Seweryn's,

I'll go to the stylist's.

You're going to go to Seweryn, and you'll patch up bed sheets, Amelka.

I said I'm going to the stylist's.

We'll talk about this later, Amelka.

Smile when he comes in.

And be nice.

Mom, when's dinner? Mom, we're hungry, hungry, hungry!

Pots! I'll fix your pots!

- Thank you. - Go now.

- Good bye. - Good bye.

Come back here. What's this?

How can this child be made to eat outside?

Jozefowa says that she doesn't like to come in here.

That's true, Professor, she doesn't want to disturb.

Really, I don't mind...

I heard that you've finished school with high marks,

and you want to continue studying.

My wife can help you. She's got a lot of time on her hands, isn't that right?

Yes, of course.

Come in, you two can talk. I have to go now. I'll be back at 9.

Well, come in... if you'd like to try.

Thank you, very much. Really.

Our mistress already arranged something for us.

I don't need anything. And I'm really in a hurry.

Franka!

I'm sorry, mom!

Good, you're here. We have to close.

Thanks.

...at the end of the street, there's a window.

Dark, abandoned, without curtains or flowers.

The man stands there, and waits.

For a long time.

Finally, he approaches nearer, pulls himself up,

presses his forehead against the window, and sees...

endless darkness.

And there's...

Oh, our poet's finally here.

Maybe she was looking in dark windows again.

Give that back!

Hold on. There are still poems here, listen up.

I love you, shining star high above...

I long in vain...

What is the meaning of this? Franka?

Nothing. Really, it's nothing.

Well, you're finally here.

I came here for the money.

Obviously, but maybe we can talk about that later.

I'm here about the order.

My father sent me.

You wanted a dresser, and a table with a glass top.

With a glass top?

Wait a minute, you're Mossakowski's daughter?

Yes.

OK, so...

That's all right, have a seat.

I'm sorry, but my father asked me to bring him the money.

Well, listen, I still have a few orders for you.

For instance, I can order the dresser.

Maybe some sort of divan.

Maybe a chiffonier.

Instead of that, maybe we should have a drink.

I'm really in a hurry.

Well, sure, if you really want to.

I... know... you...

Too well...

And you know me,

A day or two... Or three...

I'm sure that's too much.

Why? That's in advance for future orders.

There's this small... table top...

Please.

How did it go?

What do you mean? It was as usual.

- You don't want to tell? - Maybe I don't.

Good morning, Bronia.

How's your mom feeling?

Tell her we're always thinking of her.

Do you have the money?

Yes, the man said...

Bronia, child, where have you been roving?

Let's go.

Did you bring the money?

Dad took everything, mum.

I can't believe she brought myrtle.

It brings bad luck.

I'll take it to the church.

Mom!

Franka, is it a sin?

What?

Father with Cousin Helen.

Why would it be? They love each other.

But mother.

Don't be silly. You've never been in love.

And Ignacy?

Get out of here, and don't eavesdrop!

Where should I go?

Milek's with his orchestra, and you're talking about love.

They're calling for you to go outside!

Not bad at all for your first time.

There are no mistakes.

Your answers were all good.

Franka had even better grades than I did.

We would both love to study further.

The lawyer's wife will take care of Franka.

I know all about your mistress.

Here's the address, and if you have anything...

Well, go on. Remember, tomorrow at six.

Wait, I have something for you.

These notebooks... they're not new,

but there's still room to write in them.

They belonged to a former student. I stopped seeing her, she stole from me.

I swear that...

Sure, don't worry about it.

Go now.

The notebooks. Don't forget them.

I'm scared a bit.

Stop it, you're always scared of everything. Let's go.

I have a hole in my garter-belt.

And so what?

Let's take a side path.

No way.

Wait a second.

See, they didn't tear us to pieces.

Of course they didn't.

If everything works out with the sets,

I can give them to the high school.

I don't need that, it's a complete waste of time.

One day, I'll have a real store, like the Majewskis'.